Please join the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault in urging members of the Senate to support Senate Bill 734, sponsored by Senator Ed Kasemeyer. This bill would help fund the rape crisis and recovery centers that serve survivors of sexual assault and child sexual abuse across our state. The House Bill, HB1209, passed the House unanimously last week and is sponsored by Delegate Aruna Miller.
Rape crisis and recovery centers perform vital services for sexual assault survivors. Help is provided no matter when an assault occurred - whether it was last night, last year, or last decade. Rape crisis centers provide:

Crisis intervention;

Counseling;

Referrals;

Victim accompaniment to hospitals, police interviews, and court;

24-hour crisis hotlines; and

Other essential services.

State funding is needed for rape crisis centers to ensure that sexual assault survivors have access to the support, services, and justice they need. Changes in Washington mean that we must insist that our state government do its share and provide leadership and funding to end violence against women and children.
Our society has become more open and aware of college sexual assault, human sex trafficking, child sexual abuse, and other sexual violence. More and more survivors have gained the confidence to come forward and seek help. Rape crisis centers are there for survivors. It's time for Maryland to be there for rape crisis centers.
Please contact your state senators and ask them to support victims of sexual violence in Maryland by supporting Senate Bill 734. Information on your state legislators and how to reach them can be found by clicking here.
To learn more about MCASA's 2017 legislative agenda and how you can help, visit http://www.mcasa.org/law-public-policy/legislative-agenda/.

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